Hunchun, the emerging border city hotspot for Russian tourists

Hunchun, a northeastern border city in China's Jilin province, has grown increasingly popular among Russian travelers in recent years, thanks to convenient entry policies, abundant tourism resources and attentive travel services.

Irina, 48, from Vladivostok, Russia, said she has visited Hunchun multiple times and fell in love with the city.

"The city is beautiful and people here are very friendly and nice. The food is also good, and we have so many places to shop. We love spending time here for leisure and vacation and take massages and facial beauty treatments," she said.

Oksana, 52, from Russia's Artyom, said she felt at home in Hunchun, especially after seeing Russian-language signs on local storefronts.

"Many shopkeepers and salespersons can speak basic Russian. Transport is convenient here, and the hotels are comfortable," she said, adding that she has joined one-day tour groups to explore nearby cities with natural and cultural attractions.

In September 2023, China and Russia resumed a bilateral visa-waiver policy for cross-border tour groups, boosting the recovery of border tourism between the two nations.

Tourism insiders hold an optimistic view of the industry's future in Hunchun — Jilin's only land port bordering Russia — saying the city's favorable entry policies and expanding tourism offerings are likely to continue attracting Russian visitors.

Xu Li, general manager of Hunchun Yutong International Travel Service Co., said her agency saw notable growth in both inbound and outbound travel in 2024. The company received more than 30,000 inbound visits from Russia last year.

"Russian travelers love shopping in China, and they've shown increasing interest in traditional Chinese medicine," she said, noting that the peak season typically coincides with summer and Russian public holidays.

"The future of border tourism in Hunchun is very promising, thanks to deepening economic cooperation between the two countries," Xu said. "Hunchun offers a wide range of affordable products, and the tourism environment is very friendly. Authorities strictly crack down on improper or illegal behaviors such as overcharging and fraud."

Song Xueyan, a Russian-language tour guide at Yutong International Tourism Co., said Hunchun has become a trendy destination for Russian tourists, with its array of affordable shopping and popular food options such as hotpot and barbecue.

"Russian travelers don't have to worry about getting lost — stores have signs in Russian," Song said. "They can enjoy a wide range of entertainment options, including massages, acupuncture and tea art shows."

He added that Hunchun is close to other major tourist destinations, including Yanji in Yanbian Korean autonomous prefecture and the coastal city of Dalian in Liaoning province.

According to Hunchun's immigration inspection station, the city welcomed more than 35,000 inbound visitors from Russia from Jan 1 to April 20. The total number of Russian arrivals last year surpassed 350,000.